Young Athletes Part 2: Apophysitis (Growth Plate) Injuries

Words by Physio Samantha Yeung

After a long break for school holidays, school and club sports return to full swing. This break followed by a rapid return to full, and often numerous sports, exposes our growing young athletes with a big change in training and game load, and thus it is not an uncommon time when they start complaining of various pain in their bodies.

One common condition that causes pain in this Tween and Adolescent Age-group is a condition called “Traction Apophysitis” that affects Growth Plates (a growth plate is the area of bone where growth occurs). Traction Apophysitis is an inflammation/irritation or stress injury in the region where muscles or tendons attach to the growth plate.

This injury is often caused by repetitive, overuse activities that creates traction on an unclosed growth area. It can result in pain, and can severely impact young athletes’ participation in sports and physical activities.

Common areas where young athletes experience this include the ankles, knees and pelvis.

In the knee, the injurie are formally called Osgood-Schlatters, and Sindig-Yohanssen-Larsen; at the ankle, it is referred to as Severs; and in the pelvis there are a number of regions and formal diagnoses.

Although it was thought that all these conditions are self-limiting (that is, it settles with time as the specific growth plate close without significant intervention), recent research shows that some young athletes still experience continual pain long after the closing of these growth plates.

How can physiotherapy help your young athletes to manage this condition?

• – Pain relief: our Physio’s have experience helping young athletes to establish effective advice and strategies to reduce their symptoms, whether it be soft tissue therapy, taping and other techniques
• – Load (total training) management: cornerstone of management of this condition is determining a safe and comfortable sporting load that young athletes can tolerate to allow the possibility to remain in their sports. In severe cases, some athletes may be suggested to have a short period of rest from their sports.
• – Return to play: a gradual progression towards full participation and performance is guided by experienced physiotherapists to limit the amount of missed time. Your Physio is an excellent communication channel to your coaches to help plan this optimally.
• – Strength & conditioning: our Physio’s will identify areas that can be improved whether it is mobility, deficits in strength, power or aerobic capacities, and prescribe appropriate exercises accordingly to facilitate young athletes’ rehabilitation

The Physios at Gold Coast Physio & Sports health are experienced in conducting thorough examination to diagnosis traction apophysitis, tailor a specific plan for your Young Athlete to assist their journey in Sport and Exercise.

For an appointment to help your Young Athlete, phone 07 55006470 or Book Online www.mygcphysio.com.au